Be sure to visit us on our new blog! Teacher's Open House!

Monday, June 11, 2012

Daggum Duct Tape and Kindness

I did it.  I took the plunge.  I bought some of that neat and nifty, really cool duct tape.  I thought 'what the hey' and bought one of everything. I have a roll with peace symbols <my current fave!!>, cheetah print <my son's current fave, which sort of worries me>, butterfly printed <my daughter's fave>, and I even bought one of the rolls below.  I have no idea what I plan to do with it.  I bought it as a tribute to Farley at Oh Boy 4th Grade.




I mustache her if she has seen this type of duct tape.  I have to confess that it sort of makes me think of Pringles in a can!!




My plan is was to make enough of those cute little rose pens for my faculty and my parents for registration day.  The cute little duct tape roses looked easy enough.  I am 'somewhat' crafty, so I figured working with duct tape would be a breeze.  But, I learned 2 things:


                          1.  Duct tape can be your friend.
                                                  OR
                          2.  Duct tape can be your enemy.






Take a look at this pic and you decide.  Friend or enemy?  It looks like a whop-sided orange pine cone.  I guess there is always tomorrow.  MAYBE.


But, some good did come out of it.  My Little Bitty sure can measure 2 inches of duct tape.  And, we had a great time talking while we made our rose pen.  My oldest left us before I even made the first 2 petals.  She said she 'wasn't in to measuring, Muth-ar'.  Geez Louise!  At least I have one with some 'stick-to-it-ive-ness'!!!




Anyhoo...


Today I had some time to reflect about the school year  (I seem to do that more and more often these days) while racing down the Interstate to do some errands. I've worked in 3 different schools. Two of them were definitely classified as inner-city and my current school fits that description more and more each year.  But, I found myself wondering, other than socio-economic status, what sets my current school apart from the others?  


I started thinking about how the days in each school started and ended.  I can definitely say that I have grown in classroom management, so how I solve problems in respect to students now has definitely changed.  At the school I teach in now, though, there seems to be more of a sense of community....the students seem to have more respect for each other.  That is, until they get to 5th grade and then they all seem to go bananas!!!  I thought and thought and thought and I think I have it figured out!  So...I decided to share my little secret with you......






This is the Pledge of Kindness that our whole school recites every morning.  I'm not sure who wrote it or where it came from, but I really believe that this is the key to keeping my second graders under control.  I've even heard them quote it back to each other when there is a problem!!  If any of you are familiar with this or something similar, I would love to hear about your success or lack of it.  Maybe we can problem solve together!  Don't forget to click on the pic and download it. 


 I am now officially praying that I did that Google Doc thing the right way!!  I don't have much luck with those! Wish you luck with your download!  If it doesn't work, don't come looking for me!!  Call 1-800-Google!  I bet they have a complaint line.  Just don't hang up before someone answers!


But, anyway, Enjoy!!








Jenn

10 comments:

  1. I absolutely LOVE the tape! I've got to buy me a roll.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I bought the dolka dots yesterday! I can't wait to see what I can do with it.

    ✪Crystal✪
    Strive to Sparkle

    ReplyDelete
  3. I just bought several rolls yesterday. My daughter helped me pick out some camp and race car flames for the boys! I am making 27 toobaloos! Love your kindness pledge too! Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  4. It was the mustache duck tape on Pinterest that caught my attention, as that will be the inspiration for my classroom this year. However, reading your blog, I thought it was interesting that the Kindness creed was your secret to classroom discipline. I just finished a week-long workshop for Great Expectations. If you aren't familiar with it, you should check out their website. The whole theory is based around student creeds of the 8 expectations - all based around treating one another with respect. They recite creeds daily and incorporate many quotes which are also recited throughout the year. When a situation arises that might need to be redirected, the teacher simply begins the quote or creed and all students are able to complete it. It is very effective. The students are mostly very respectful to one another and are required to practice good manners, including speaking in complete sentences. I've never seen anything like it before, and I am super excited to implement it in my classroom PRONTO!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I have to admit, your title put a totally different picture in my head. I thought the duct tape had something to do with kindness. I like your version much better than what popped into my head! Another great blog post!

    Sally from ElementaryMatters

    ReplyDelete
  6. You can givе Tantric Massage tо your sigils, ѕeгvitогs,
    сandles, гіtuаl interested in this 4 months fourth dimension physique, which is Veneгаble to Dесеmbег 2012.
    Thе unequaleԁ prοduсts that yоu wіll be fashiοning
    testament be helpful ѕufficiency, my prοtagοnist, аnԁ thаnks
    again for yοur еmail.

    Feel free to ѵіsit mу wеb blog; erotic massage agency here
    My web page - sensual massage in London

    ReplyDelete
  7. I love the tape as well. Haven't taken the plunge yet because when I went to buy...they were out of the chevron I wanted...grrrr. I did get into the Washi tape though and love it for outlining my daily schedule on the white board!
    I want to get the duct tape and try the flowers. I think the girls in my class would love earning these from the treasure box!

    ReplyDelete

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.

Remember....please follow my blog while you are here!


LinkWithin

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...
Pin It button on image hover